Payroll

Form I-9

Form I-9 is the Employment Eligibility Verification form. The employee completes one section, the employer reviews the employee's documents and completes another, and the form is kept as a record of the verification.

Reviewed November 3, 2026

Why it matters

The form is required for every new employee, and the employer must review the documents in person or through an authorized remote process. Missing or late forms can lead to penalties in an inspection.

Example

A new employee completes the employee section of Form I-9 on the first day. The employer reviews an acceptable identity and work authorization document, completes the employer section and files the form.

Related terms

Questions about Form I-9

When must Form I-9 be completed?

The employee completes the employee section by the first day of work, and the employer completes the review within the required period. The form should not be completed before the employee accepts the job.

Can Form I-9 be completed remotely?

The rules for remote review have changed over time. Check the current USCIS guidance before using a remote process.

Sources

Checked November 3, 2026. Public pages and tax rules change; confirm them before relying on them.

Ready to stop chasing?

Start free trial